June 22, 2025

Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. This week we will highlight Pope Leo’s Creole identity, celebrate a HBCU making a difference in engineering with NASA and singer Corrine Bailey Rae shares her childhood experiences in new book.

A Pope's American Roots: A Timeline of Pope Leo XIV's Ancestry

Here's a look at the fascinating journey of Pope Leo XIV's maternal ancestors, highlighting their connection to the Creole community in New Orleans and their migration from Haiti to Chicago, Illinios:

Pre-1850s: The Martinez Family in New Orleans

Pope Leo XIV's maternal great-grandfather, Jacques Martinez, lived in New Orleans as a tailor and modest property owner. The family was part of the Creole community, a distinct group of free people of African descent, often of mixed ancestry, who were prominent in Louisiana.

1850s-1860s: Increasing Repression and the Move to Haiti

As legal restrictions and violence against free people of color intensified in the U.S., the Martinez family, like many others, sought refuge. Between December 1861 and 1864, Jacques Martinez and his family likely departed New Orleans for Haiti, a nation that had famously abolished slavery and actively promoted itself as a haven for people of African descent. Pope Leo XIV's maternal grandfather, Joseph Norval Martinez, was born in Haiti in 1864.

1866: Return to New Orleans Amidst Reconstruction

The Martinez family returned to New Orleans in February 1866. This period was marked by the early stages of Reconstruction, with hopes for civil rights and equal access to education. Joseph Norval Martinez and his siblings attended school during this time, though they would soon witness the violent backlash against Reconstruction in Louisiana.

Late 19th Century: Life in Segregated New Orleans

Joseph Norval Martinez married Louise Baquié in 1887 and had six daughters in New Orleans. He worked as a cigar maker and later a clerk, navigating life under increasing segregation, including the 1890 Separate Car Act and the Supreme Court's 1896 "separate but equal" ruling.

Early 20th Century: The Great Migration to Chicago

Around 1910, Joseph Norval Martinez, Louise Baquié, and their family joined millions of other Black Americans in the Great Migration, moving from the South to the North. They settled in Chicago, where their youngest daughter, Mildred Agnes Martinez (Pope Leo XIV's mother), was born. Census records during this period highlight the complex and sometimes shifting racial classifications assigned to Joseph Norval Martinez, reflecting the broader fluidity of racial identity in America.

This timeline offers a glimpse into the rich and complex tapestry of Pope Leo XIV's ancestral history, an integral part of the American story of race, citizenship, and migration.

campus chronicles // hbcu edition

Fisk University will end its groundbreaking women’s gymnastics program after the 2026 season, citing logistical challenges and a desire to focus on conference-affiliated sports. The program made history in 2023 as the first at an HBCU but struggled with travel demands and limited competition among peer institutions. The university praised the team’s impact and pledged to support athletes and staff through the transition.

Tennessee State University (TSU) has secured a significant agreement with the state of Tennessee, allowing the university to reallocate $96 million of previously earmarked infrastructure funds to support its operational needs over the next three years. This reallocation comes from a larger $250 million state allocation for campus improvements made in April 2022, with the remaining funds still designated for specific projects - electrical grid upgrades and new agricultural science buildings. These funds will modernize campus infrastructure and enhance the overall college experience for students.

Virginia State University's College of Engineering and Technology recently showcased its growing STEM prowess by being the sole HBCU to compete in the prestigious 2025 NASA Lunabotics Challenge at the Kennedy Space Center. A team of 15 students successfully designed, built, and operated a versatile and precise robotic system on simulated lunar terrain, completing all required tasks. This significant achievement not only reinforced VSU's standing in advanced engineering disciplines but also highlighted the capabilities of HBCUs on a national stage, as recognized by both university leadership and the participating students.

black history in quotes 

Subscribe Today

KISA News Radio’s Sunday Briefing highlights a small portion of the journalism that KISA News Radio offers.

To access our website, please visit us online at KISARadio.org.

culture

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae is set to release her debut children's picture book, "Put Your Records On," with Rocky Pond Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. Expected on March 3, 2026, the book is inspired by Rae's own childhood experiences with music and shares the story of a young girl exploring her great aunt's record collection.

Rae, known for her multi-platinum selling records and two Grammy Awards, expressed her desire to help children discover their own voices through music, much like she did. She stated, "I want every child to know that they have music in their heart and a voice that should be heard.”

Our editor, Lisa D. Tinsley, would like to thank you for spending part of your day with KISA News Radio.

See you next Sunday.

Sign up here to receive this newsletter in your inbox or share with a friend.

Reach our team at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to recommend specific topics to be featured in our newsletter.